Have you ever wanted to take the world of Forged Bloodlines out for a spin? Write yourself in there as an original character? Kill off characters you hate? Decide who Anja belongs with once and for all? Now’s your chance! I’m holding a fan fiction contest for the Forged Bloodlines series. I would like to offer prizes in multiple categories (such as most romantic, best action, snappiest dialogue, most true to character, steamiest…), but we’ll see how many entries we get. There is no minimum length and any rating is accepted.

What do you get if you win? A signed copy of Release Me When the Sun Goes Down (or you can substitute one of my others if you prefer), a $10 Amazon gift card and your choice of some Forged Bloodlines swag that’s currently only available to my Streetbots team. Anyone who enters must give me permission to post the winning entries on my blog, but I will give you full credit. It’d be extra awesome if you decide to post it on fanfiction.net or mibba or one of the other fan fiction hubs.

This contest will run through April 30th, so you’ve got time to put something together be it a one-shot or a multi-chapter epic saga. You can set your story at any point in the Forged Bloodlines timeline, even in the future or the past and use any characters as you will. To enter, contact me through the website or through facebook pm and we’ll chat about how to submit.

What do you guys think? Is that deadline doable? I’m flexible here, so sing out if you have any questions.

It’s time for a new dream casting post since I have a new Forged Bloodlines book out. As you know, I ALWAYS cast these suckers in my head when I’m in the process of writing, so I thought I’d share my picks for how I see the characters in my head. I’ll include Bishop, Rob and Anja as a refresher, but you can see the rest of the cast from my last dreamcasting posts here:

Anja Evans: Teresa Palmer – So I hadn’t cast a female lead as a blonde before, but since it went with the Viking ancestry link for this series, I decided to try something new. I like Teresa Palmer because she can play innocence well, but you get the feeling like she could seriously kick a little ass once she comes into her own. (see her with a shotgun in Warm Bodies)

Rob: Jason Statham – Rob is a character I borrowed from my True Blood fanfic, and I pictured him as Handsome Rob from The Italian Job at the time and the name just stuck. He looks like he could hold his own against a vampire and I just love his voice with the accent.

Bishop: Chris Evans – Before I even nailed down this character I had Chris Evans in mind, as he looks in the movie Push, which is a little rough around the edges, but definitely formidable. He’s got that ability to play tough, but with a vulnerability that makes him relatable. Plus, he’s so damn pretty to look at.

Jennike Vendal: Famke Janssen – She’s beautiful, but there’s a hardness to her that could easily portray the ambitious Elder of the East.

Aubrey Cantrell: Joseph Morgan – I think he could play Bishop’s charming but opportunistic brother very easily. Plus, despite how cruel and heartless he can play, he conveys a sense of vulnerability behind it very well.

Macallister James: Josh Holloway – My favorite cowboy. This guy could swindle you out of your shoes and make you feel like you’re coming out on top of the deal. Also, I’m a sucker for his dimples any day.

Rein Faust: Michael Fassbender – I can totally see him as the charismatic leader of the Belonoc. Focused, the type of man to go after what he wants, and eager to bring his House into the new Millenium.

Jean Pierre Severine: Dougray Scott – I think he brings a sympathetic, brooding cast to the role of the Elder of Toulac. Every time I look at his picture, I just want to give him a hug.

Volkov: Daniel Gillies – I wanted someone for the role who didn’t look particularly threatening at first glance, but who can definitely step up the menace with a single look – without losing his cool.

After just a week of sales, Follow Me When the Sun Goes Down is currently #4 in Hot New Releases for Occult and #8 in Hot New Releases for Horror!
This places my current Amazon Author Rank at:
#23 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Horror
#90 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

Thanks to everyone for their amazing support. I couldn’t do it without you!

My new book is out! Follow Me When the Sun Goes Down is now available for sale on Amazon and Barnes and Noble! It’s out as an e-book for $3.99 but you don’t have to have a Kindle or Nook to read it, they have free downloadable apps so you can read it on your PC, or even your phone. It’ll be available in print as well in a few weeks through Amazon. I can’t wait for you all to read how Anja tackles her new position as Elder of the West. Check out the website for a little taste to whet your appetite. Here is the blurb:

“Me, Anja Evans, the new Elder of the West? Had I slid into an alternate dimension? What else was wonky here? Would someone bust in and announce a tornado full of sharks on the horizon in the next instant?”

Anja maintains her steady rise to power as she asserts herself as the newest vamp on the block in the world of political intrigue. Returning to England, this time as Elder of the West, to attend the first vampire Gathering held in over fifty years, she can’t wait to see friends and foes alike. Not everyone’s happy to see Anja again, but strangely enough, old enemy Simon Corley is the one who welcomes her with open arms. Will Anja find a new ally in the Warden of Vetis, or should she stop and count her fillings? Convinced she’s over Bishop, will her resolve hold once she actually sees him, or will any hope of rekindling their love fizzle as soon as he opens his mouth? And what about Rob – can he truly keep those deep feelings bottled up inside, or will they spill out, especially when Anja’s life is in danger?

Thanks to everyone who voted for the ‘Who Would You Choose?’ poll. Looks like Team Rob is definitely in the lead! I’ll be revealing some fun Forged Bloodlines merchandise soon, so keep an eye peeled for that.

Next up… Book 5 of The Fallen series: Mercy for the Fallen
It’s been three years since we last left Mercy in domestic bliss with Parker and Bunny. Can it last? Or will a certain blue-eyed angel complicate things?

Well, since y’all seem to be feeling Team Rob these days, I thought I’d give you a little sample from the new book that features Rob and Anja. So, the setting is, Anja is a little drunk on too much celebrating over the Elder thing, and they’re at Felix’s house in Malibu. Maggie is off to bed, and Felix and Bridget have already disappeared into his room. Anja has just asked Rob if he wants to go for a moonlit stroll and he turned her down, so she is in search of another glass of champagne to keep the party rolling.

“Night, Mags, sleep deep,” I called after her, turning to lean against the wall, not because I needed to, but because it felt nice since Rob had let go of me. When had he done that?

“You should get some sleep as well.”

“I know, you said that already,” I smiled, being more at his eye level with my heels on. “If you want to go to bed, you go ahead, I can find the champagne on my own.”

“I’ll stay up a piece longer, make sure everything’s tucked away for the night.”

His fingers lightly encircled my wrists, pulling them away from his torso. “It’s not all that interesting really. Mostly it involves girls in their cups finding the right bed and catching a few winks.”

“Ah, but whose bed is the right bed?” I smiled, my body just a fraction of an inch from his without my hands between us. I could feel the heat pouring off of his body as I waited for him to answer. Instead he looked away, letting go of my wrists.

“Your own. Off you go then, like a good girl.” His head jerked towards the end of the corridor and I recognized the tone he used with Leila right off the bat.

“I’m not your sister.”

His lips twitched. “I’ve noticed.”

“I’m the new Elder you know.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“That makes me the boss of everybody.” An idea was forming. Still fuzzy around the edges, but a good one, I was sure of it.

“Not quite everybody. Off to bed now with you.” His head jerked again but I held my ground.

“But I’m the boss of you.”

“Something I’ve been reminded of far too frequently.”

“So… technically, you have to do whatever I say.”

“Were you needing something, miss?” He drew himself up formally, even as I slouched back against the wall again.

Boy howdy I needed something… and he was just the man to give it to me. But I couldn’t order him to kiss me, could I? My teeth caught at my lower lip, already thinking what I’d say and what he’d say, and what he’d do…

“Anja?” Rob prompted, breaking me out of my private fantasy.

Music could be heard coming from Felix and Bridget’s room. Deep, throbbing music, the kind you put on when you wanted a soundtrack for something that could get a little loud in the bedroom. Or a striptease – even better. Too bad he’d probably balk at the idea. But I was the boss. Isn’t that what Felix kept calling me? “I want to dance,” I decided suddenly, reaching for him. “Dance with me.”

“Sure it is. Dancing’s always a good idea,” I replied, pursuing him as he backed away down the hall. We came into the living room which was deserted, the lights low.

“I think we both know that’s not true.”

“I don’t think I know that it’s a thing I know, you know?” I’d wound myself into a corner of words, no longer sure what it was I wanted to say. Spotting a nearly full glass on champagne on the end table, I rescued it, downing it in one long gulp that tickled my nose. “Fine, take me to your bed then. Even better.” Tossing the glass negligently aside, it hit the plush carpet and rolled under the couch.

“Anja…”

“Oh come on, you said you didn’t want to dance. Or did you change your mind? Fancy a dance then, mate?” I pretty much murdered his accent, but it was enough to bring the twitch of a smile to his lips.

“One dance, and then it’s off to bed with you,” he allowed, pulling me away from the coffee table where one of us might lose a shin.

“One dance is all I’m asking for.” I sighed happily over my victory, resting my chin against his shoulder as his arms came around me. Once again I was struck by how well we moved together. I had a feeling it would translate well off the dance floor. What was it Bridget had said about his hands?

I found myself breathing faster, and deliberately forced myself to think of something else before I lost what self esteem I had left and begged him to forget his silly objections to what we both wanted. “I really do like you in this suit,” I murmured, fishing around for something to say.

“You’ve mentioned that before.”

“Do you like my dress?”

“It’s very nice.”

“Again with the nice,” I snorted, teetering back on my heels to get a better look at him. “Maybe I should raid Bridget’s closet and see what I can come up with that might get a stronger reaction. What kind of girls do you like, Rob?”

“I like girls who do what they’re told.” He raised a brow at me pointedly, but I took it a different way.

“Now we’re getting interesting again. What would you tell me to do, Robby? If you could make me do anything? No one interfering, nothing but you and me and your deepest desires. Anything at all…” My voice fell to a whisper. His jaw tightened, and I saw the hunger descend almost as if he craved a taste of me the way a vampire would.

My Forged Bloodlines series books 1-3 are now available as a boxed set for your kindle. Easy to navigate between books from the table of contents, this set contains Wake Me When the Sun Goes Down, Meet Me When the Sun Goes Down and Find Me When the Sun Goes down, Anja’s notes on all the vampire Houses and a preview of Miss Me When the Sun Goes Down. It can be found here on Amazon.com for $9.99.

In other news, we’re getting close to releasing book 5 in the series, Follow Me When the Sun Goes Down and I’m starting to plan the next Mercy Book. I’m also working on an audio version of The Touch and designing a new cover for it, so keeping plenty busy!